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Trongsa
Dzongkhag - Trongsa
Crossing the Black Mountains which separate western and
central Bhutan, you'll enter a part of the country which
until the l970's was only reached by mule and foot trails.
The mountain road passes through deciduous forests and at
the second pass, Pele La (3300m-10,825ft.), the entire area
is blanketed by high altitude dwarf bamboo. About five miles
from Trongsa, the road winds around a cliff and takes a
sharp turn to the left. Your driver will stop the vehicle
and encourage you to get down to take photographs of the
valley. The view is one of the most beautiful sights in all
Bhutan and one from which you will never tire. Sloping down
the contour of a ridge stands the many-leveled Trongsa Dzong,
built in 1648. It takes at least another 40 minutes from the
look-out before you arrive in Trongsa proper. The dzong acts
as a defensive fortress, stepping down into the valley and
its bright golden yellow roof occupies most of the view from
Trongsa. Trongsa is the ancestral home of the Royal Family.
The Crown Prince of Bhutan traditionally becomes "Penlop"
(Governor) of Trongsa before being crowned King.
Trongsa Dzong was built in 1648 and has been the traditional
home of all four kings of Bhutan prior to their ascending
the throne.
Trongsa's location in the geographic center of the kingdom
has enabled a "Penlop" (Governor) to effectively control the
entire East and West of the country from there. Ta Dzong, or
the watch tower which once guarded the Dzong from internal
rebellion, stands impressively above the Dzong and provides
visitor with more insight into the historical significance
of Trongsa in Bhutan's history.
Bumthang Dzongkhag - Bumthang and Jakar
Continuing past Trongsa you'll travel over two
spectacular passes into the Bumthang Valley, often compared
to Switzerland. The terrain changes quickly from
rhododendron forests to conifers. The first valley, Chumey
(8.860ft.) is a wide fertile valley where wheat, barley,
potatoes and buckwheat are cultivated. It is also known for
it's famous wool weaving called "Bumthang Yathra".
Continuing we enter the Bumthang Valley consisting of the
Choekhor (West), Tang, and Ura (East) Valleys. With the main
town of Jakar serving as its capital.
The hills around Jakar are filled with monasteries dedicated
to Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava) who is said to have cured
an ailing ruler and introduced Buddhism to the valley.
Bumthang is also home to one of the great Buddhist teachers,
Pema Lingpa, to whose descendants the present dynasty traces
its origins. Pema Lingpa was a blacksmith who was led by
mystic forces to discover spiritual treasures (termas)
placed by Guru Rinpoche at the bottom of Mebartsho or
Flaming Lake. Not knowing how to impart the knowledge
contained in the treasures he hid until one day the Dakinis,
or female heavenly spirits, showed him the power of
preaching. Legend explains that as he spoke, flowers dropped
from the sky and vanished into rays of light. Jambay Lhakang
Drub Monastery is host to one of the most spectacular
festivals in October each year when on one evening of the
festival, the monastery is lit by a fire dance to bless
infertile women with future children. No where else in
Bhutan will you see as many temples and monasteries in such
a confined area.
Ura
The last valley in Central Bhutan. Ura Valley, is also
the highest in Bumthang. Wide open spaces characterizes the
valley that sits in the shadow of the Thrumshing La (3800m,
12465ft), separating the East from the West of the kingdom.
Ura village and its new monastery are a charming stop before
the climb to the east. Cobbled streets and a medieval feel
give Ura an unusual yet very attractive atmosphere. The old
women of Ura still wear sheepskin shawls on their backs
which double as a blanket and cushion. |
